Some of the biggest challenges our society faces today revolve around mental health and addiction – especially in a post-lockdown world. Fortunately, a psychedelic solution is on the horizon here in Utah. In today's episode, I'm joined by Amy Pomeroy who works as the Criminal Justice Policy Analyst at the Libertas Institute.

Amy has spent the last several years prosecuting crime as a Deputy Utah County Attorney, giving her a front-row seat to what is and is not working in our criminal justice system. Prior to that, she worked at the Pacific Legal Foundation doing constitutional litigation and ran a state representative’s office. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University before graduating from J. Reuben Clark Law School cum laude.

I invited Amy on to discuss the incredible work she and the rest of the Libertas team are doing to legalize the medicinal and clinical use of psychedelics, such as psilocybin and MDMA, here in Utah. Amy highlights some of the studies and research that's been conducted on this issue and addresses concerns, myths, and common questions from those who are unsure about the legitimacy of the medicinal properties in psychedelics.

Where you can follow Amy and her work:

https://twitter.com/LibertasPomeroy

https://libertas.org/author/apomeroy/

Additional links for this episode:

Amy's policy brief on psychotherapeutic drugs

Report to UT legislature by the Utah Mental Illness Psychotherapy Drug Task Force

Utah panel on psychotherapeutics hosted by Libertas and Utah Patients Coalition (Here's the full panel video on YouTube)

Find your Senator or Representative here

In Utah, the 24th of July (Pioneer Day) is treated almost as a second "4th of July" because it serves as a sort of Independence Day for the pioneers fleeing from the United States territories to the Mexico territory that would later become Utah. It was persecution from both local communities as well as the government itself that drove the pioneers to leave the U.S.

Connor Boyack is the founder and president of the Libertas Institute, a Utah based think-tank; author of the Tuttle Twins children's book series; and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is also a fan of history and loves to learn from the ideas behind historical events — not just the names and dates associated with them.

His work is centered on spreading the ideas of liberty and defending individual rights. What I've found unique about Connor however is that his political beliefs and religious beliefs are very much based on the same underlying principles. As he puts it, you won't find that his faith is placed in one bucket and his politics in another.

I invited Connor on to the podcast to talk about some of the important ideas and principles that should be highlighted during the 24thof July (Pioneer Day), yet today it seems that the LDS church culture has moved away from being one of distrust of the government to one of worshipping its false idols and utilizing its coercive powers. We also talk about his experience working in Utah politics which has led to instances of standing off against the very religious institution he is a part of.

Follow Connor:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Check out Connor's work:

Connor's website

Libertas Institute

Tuttle Twins

Sunday Musings podcast

Christ Versus Caesar

We live in an increasingly digital world. Technological innovation has vastly improved the quality of lives of so many across the world, however, it has also introduced us to new and unimagined challenges — especially when it comes to violations of privacy by way of the government.

Leslie Corbly works as a policy analyst for the Libertas Institute, a libertarian think-tank based in Utah. Her work covers issues surrounding the individual's right to privacy. She was recently interviewed for a segment on KUTV which reported on the use of geo-fence warrants by police in Layton, Utah.

I invited Leslie on for a conversation about digital privacy, government's use of innovative technology, and why we should be more concerned about a these issues in relation to a domestic "war on terror" in a post 2020 world (lockdowns, riots, January 6th, etc.).

Leslie's work can be found here:

Quinn Driggs returns for another episode to discuss Utah's unique cultural and political atmosphere — both of which are heavily influenced by a majority of the population being members of the LDS Church.  

Follow Quinn's work: 

https://www.instagram.com/quinnrdriggs/ 

https://twitter.com/QuinnDriggs1 

https://www.based-politics.com/author/quinnrdriggs/

As the Defend the Guard movement continues to grow in Utah, it is essential that the voices of the men and women who serve in Utah's armed forces are amplified. Peter Gilbert is one of those voices. Being somebody directly impacted by this legislation, Peter shares unique insight on why this bill really matters to him and why it should matter to all Utahns. During our conversation, we cover some of the basic history of the Guard, some of the important distinctions between National Guard and other parts of the military, and personal experiences that changed Peter's overall outlook on how the military is being handled today.

Please be sure to check out Defend the Guard - Utah as well as defendtheguard.us for more information on how you can show your support for this legislation.

The war in Ukraine has been going on for nearly two months and the tension doesn't seem to be coming down. Peace talks between the warring parties have yet to make any significant headway, meanwhile, the US and its NATO allies continue to funnel money and weapons to support Ukraine.

Kyle Anzalone of the Libertarian Institute and Anti-war.com has been working fulltime to provide updates and coverage surrounding the invasion along with other overseas conflicts and affairs. His work has been critical in fighting against the endless stream of propaganda and disinformation.

Kyle joins me in this episode to explain the overall role the US has played since February. We discuss some of the most recent headlines on issues like the US' information war, the possible addition of two new NATO members, and the renewal of the US lend-lease program for weapons to Ukraine.

Follow Kyle:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/KyleAnzalone_ & https://twitter.com/Con_Interest

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ConflictsofInterest

Stories mentioned in the show:

NATO plans massive buildup along Russian border

Finland and Sweden to potentially join NATO

Ukraine's GDP to drop 45%

NATO members prefer dead Ukrainians over peace

US lying to public about the details coming out of the war

Ukraine, Russia trade blame for train station bombing

House Republicans smeared as pro Putin

US lend-lease program for Ukraine passes Senate

Many would argue that the war in Yemen has led to the world's worst humanitarian crisis in modern history — a war that is being waged by Saudi Arabia with logistical and intelligence support from the United States Government. Quinn Driggs has been one of those voices and works to bring more attention to the disaster that is U.S. foreign policy.

Quinn, who currently works as an outreach coordinator for the Libertarian Institute and The Scott Horton Show, joins me in this episode to lay out the history behind the U.S.'s role in Yemen and describe, following years of bombs and a blockade, what the current situation on the ground looks like.  

Make sure to follow Quinn at:

Articles mentioned in this episode: 

Quinn's most recent piece 

Yemen president Hadi steps down

The New Presidential Council

Dan McKnight of Bring Our Troops Home joins me to give a basic rundown on what Defend the Guard legislation is and why it matters.

For more information and to see how you can get involved, go check out:

Find Bring Our Troops Home on:

And if you are from Utah go follow the Defend the Guard - Utah page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefendUTGuard

As we wrap up another month of conflict in Ukraine, I go over some of the latest stories being reported by the awesome group of guys working over at Antiwar.com. This episode was recorded on Saturday, April 2 so new developments may have already begun taking place by the time you hear this episode.

US to Work With Allies to Send Soviet-Made Tanks to Ukraine

US, Allies Unlikely to Give Ukraine the Security Guarantees It Wants

Pentagon Says There’s No ‘Offensive’ Bioweapons at US-Linked Ukraine Labs

Moscow Says Ukraine Attacked Fuel Depot Inside Russia, Kyiv Denies Responsibility

US Calls Off ICBM Test, Citing Russia Tensions

I had the special privilege of bringing on the great Scott Horton to the show to give what really is only an introduction to understanding what U.S. foreign policy is, its history, and why more people should be aware of what the U.S. is doing overseas.

Scott’s history lesson on Russia-Ukraine: https://youtu.be/NbiuAfcpzQU

Scott’s recent appearance on the Jocko Willink podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nF9Xp59lqqO9ilxczeCsQ?si=f18a685e63954c85

Follow Scott:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scotthortonshow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scotthortonshow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scotthortonshow/

Also check out Scott and his team’s work:

Antiwar.com

The Libertarian Institute

The Scott Horton Show

Buy Scott’s books:

Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism

Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan